ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT AND THE THORUNG LA

Transcription

1 A classic trekking holiday in the Annapurna Himal in Nepal Views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri Acclimatise with the walk to Tilicho Lodge Challenging crossing of the Thorung La (5416m) 5-Star Kathmandu hotels, including the Yak & Yeti and the Shangri-La Kathmandu Airport transfers and all meals included HOLIDAY CODE ACL Nepal, Trek & Walk, 15 Days 1 night hotel, 11 nights lodge, 2 nights hotel with swimming pool, 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners, max group size: 16, 10 days trekking, max altitude metres, VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction The Annapurna Circuit trek includes the chance to experience the best of Nepal's landscapes, from the hot and humid farmland in the lower valley of the Marsyangdi and around Pokhara, to the high alpine environment and spectacular mountain scenery above Manang on the north side of the Annapurnas. Access to the major valleys that cut through the Himalayas to the east and west of the Annapurna Massif continues to develop and we have continued to adjust our itinerary to avoid walking on the road and to preserve the classic Annapurna Sanctuary trekking experience. We begin our trek at Jagat beside the Marsyangdi River and after an introductory walk to Dharapani, we turn towards the west and trek easily into the impressive valley on the north side of the Annapurnas. Here, we can marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery as we hike up to the villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal on the northern slopes of the valley. We are also able to savour the special appeal of this remote Buddhist enclave, with its perched villages and striking monasteries, such as the one at Braga. Then, from Manang, we take a 2-day diversion up to Tilicho Lake as the final part of our preparation fror crossing the Thorung La (5416m). From our lodge at Thorung High Camp, we make an early start for the hike up to the pass, where the views extend to Dhaulagiri and the red ridges of Mustang. Then, descending into the Kali Gandaki via the amazing Hindu temples at Muktinath, we reach Jomsom and from there fly back to Kathmandu via an afternoon in Pokhara and an overnight stay in this charming lakeside town. FREE equipment hire on all Nepal holidays! Already booked on this holiday? Or looking to book on one of our departures in 2017? ALL travellers will benefit from free hire of a sleeping bag and down jacket worth 90 - when reserved up to 4 weeks before your departure date. Book NOW, save money and help support a country we love. View offer details Is this holiday for you? This Annapurna and the Thorung La lodge trek is quite sustained but offers relatively straightforward trekking conditions throughout, following excellent trails which are well-served with tea-houses and lodges. The trek has a number of quite long days and the crossing of the Thorung La will present a significant challenge to the regular hillwalker. It should be noted that trekking at altitudes above 3000 metres makes greater demands on the body than walking at low elevations, and is of itself challenging even for fit hikers. Our itinerary is well staged to allow the best possible acclimatisation but you will need to ensure you are physically prepared for the trek. You should be comfortable with walking for 5 to 7 hours each day and for several days continuously. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

3 PAGE 3 HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL MEALS D Day 2: Drive towards Pokhara, before turning into the Marsyangdi Valley. Overnight at Jagat (1314m). We set off after an early breakfast for the drive westwards to the start of the trek, accompanied by our trek crew. After 3 hours or so, we arrive at the town of Mugling and stop for an early lunch at a roadside restaurant. Soon after leaving Mugling, we reach the small town of Dumre, beside the Marsyangdi River. Here, we turn north on a smaller road which follows the river. We cross the river on a long suspension bridge at Syange before climbing to our overnight accommodation at Jagat (1314m). Day 3: Start trekking. Via Chamje and Tal to Dharapani (1945m). Today we begin our trek around the Annapurna massif. Although the road continues up valley, its condition is very rough and it is much more pleasurable to walk from here. Where we can, we take the old trekking trail away from the road. From Jagat we start with a steady climb to Chamje, before descending to cross the river on a suspension bridge. Climbing once more, we enter the Buddhist region of Manang at the village of Tal (which means lake in Nepali). Here the terrain levels for a short section and the raging river slows to a lake-like appearance. Beyond Tal, the trail crosses the river again and continues for around 4 kilometres to Dharapani (1943m). DESCENT 200M ASCENT 830M TIME 5-6 HRS TREKKING HOURS DISTANCE 12KM Day 4: Trek through a number of villages to Chame (2713m) with good views of Manaslu. The valley now turns towards the west, as we pass through the interesting Buddhist village of Bagar Chap. Manaslu is visible behind us and Annapurna 2 comes occasionally into view to the south. Even during today's walk we will be obliged to follow sections of the new road, as we pass through forested areas and stop off to check out several small settlements en route to our overnight stopping place at Chame (2713m). This is the administrative centre of this region, with shops, a bank and a school, as well as views of the Annapurnas. ASCENT 1300M DESCENT 500M DISTANCE 18KM TIME 6-7 HOURS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 5: Trek to the more open valley at Lower Pisang (3150m). We cross the Marsyangdi several times today, in a steep gorge section of the river. The path is sometimes built into the cliffside on wooden piers. Climbing through a forested ridge beyond Bhratang we reach a more open valley where we find, rising up on our right-hand side, the huge and very impressive rock wave of the Swargadwari Danda. Crossing the river a couple more times and passing through sparse forest the trail takes us on to the fields and scattered houses of Lower Pisang (3150m).

4 PAGE 4 ASCENT 950M DISTANCE 16KM GPS DATA VIEW NOW DESCENT 350M TIME 5-6 HRS TREKKING HOURS Day 6: Two options: Low or High level via Braga to the regional centre of Manang (3540m). There are two options today. The main Annapurna Circuit trail follows the river, keeping mostly south of the river and passing through the village of Hongde where there is a STOL airstrip. Beyond Hongde this trail crosses the river before reaching Braga, which has an interesting monastery which sits on and amongst a high crag overlooking the village. From Braga, there is a final, easy 4 kilometre walk to Manang. As an alternative, there is a high-level option that climbs above the river on its north side and traverses via the villages of Ghyaru (3720m) and Ngawal (3680m) before descending to the river again and joining the main trail at Braga. This route which offers splendid views across to the Annapurnas is well worth taking but is more challenging than the main trail and it will take approximately 7 to 8 hours to reach Manang by this route. ASCENT 440M DESCENT 50M DISTANCE 16KM TIME 6-7 HRS TREKKING. HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 7: Trek beside the Kangsar Khola to Kangsar (3700m). Leaving the Annapurna Circuit trail we start a short (2 day) acclimatisation trek prior to our crossing of the Thorung La. On this first day we descend to the Marsyangdi and cross the river before making a gradual ascent of the Kangsar Khola to the pretty village of Kangsar which consists of a collection of flat-roofed stone house seemingly one on top of another. This is a great place, surrounded by snowy peaks and with views back to Manang. DESCENT 50M ASCENT 210M TIME 3-4 HOURS HOURS DISTANCE 6KM Day 8: Trek via Thare Gompa to Tilicho Lodge (4000m). Leaving Kangsar the trail first climbs to Thare Gompa before reaching an area of rough pasture where we are likely to see yaks grazing. From here, we cross scree slopes on a well-marked trail to reach Tilicho Lodge. The lodge is in a stunning location in a basin below a wall of rock and ice which was given the name the Great Barrier by climber Maurice Herzog in If we have made good time today, there is the option to continue climbing to a viewpoint for Tilicho Lake before returning to the lodge. This is a much more rewarding way to acclimatise for the Thorung La rather than the otherwise obligatory rest day in Manang and spending a night here at 4000 metres will also better prepare us for the high altitude crossing to come. DESCENT 160M ASCENT 460M TIME 3-4 HRS TREKKING HOURS DISTANCE 7KM Day 9: Descend via Kangsar to the Annapurna Circuit and continue to Letdar (4250m).

5 PAGE 5 We descend to Kangsar and then take an alternative route which drops to a bridge across the Jarsang Kola above Manang. Climbing up above the river we regain the Annapurna Circuit trail at Yak Kharka (4035m) and from here continue for a further hour to the lodges of Letdar (4250m). There are great views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas and Tilicho Peak today as we head through a landsvcape of scrubby juniper and across alpine meadows. DESCENT 550M ASCENT 800M TIME 6-7 HRS TREKKING HOURS DISTANCE 18KM Day 10: Trek beside the Jarsang Khola to Thorung High Camp (4750m). We continue on the east bank of the Jarsang stream to a covered bridge, beyond which a steep trail climbs across scree to reach the tea-houses at Thorung Phedi (4450m) (a name which means 'base of the Thorong La'). To make the crossing of the pass easier tomorrow, we will hike up for a further hour and a half to the single lodge at Thorung High Camp (4750m). Arriving at around midday, we will have lunch and then take it easy and make sure we are well fed and well acclimatised ahead of the pass crossing tomorrow. ASCENT 700M DESCENT 420M DISTANCE 6KM TIME 3 HOURS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 11: Trek across the Thorung La (5416m) and long descent to Muktinath (3800m). No need for too early a start from High Camp. After breakfast at around 6 am, we set off on the steep ascent to the Thorung La. The trail is well defined, though potentially icy in places. After the steep start, it eases off, passing a number of glacial lakes on the slow climb to the cairns and prayer flags at the pass (5416m). At this altitude, this is a tough 2 to 3-hour climb. There are tremendous views in both directions. In addition to the mountains that have been with us for the last few days, we can see the brown and red hills of Mustang to the north-west and the valley of the Kali Gandaki below us. Descending from the pass is quite straightforward, but hard on the knees. It is three hours (and 1500 metres) down to the sacred village of Muktinath, with excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak and Nilgiri. ASCENT 600M DESCENT 1800M DISTANCE 14KM TIME 6 HOURS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 12: Descend through Lupra to Jomsom (2700m). Keeping away from the road as much as possible, on its south side, our trek today loops around via Lupra, before descending to the valley floor. It is relatively gentle and very scenic 3-hour descent, with great views of the peaks on the west side of the Kali Gandaki, including Dhaulagiri. Arriving on the stony bed of the Kali Gandaki, we will stop for a cold drink at one of the many tea-houses, before continuing our walk for a further 2 hours to the busy airstrip town of Jomsom. Plenty of time to look around this thriving settlement after checking in at our lodge.

6 PAGE 6 ASCENT 460M DISTANCE 20KM GPS DATA VIEW NOW DESCENT 1390M TIME 6 HOURS TREKKING HOURS Day 13: Fly to to Pokhara. Afternoon free to stroll around the market streets of 'Lakeside'. We take the short and exciting internal flight to Pokhara. (Please note that if, for any reason, the flight is cancelled, we are obliged to travel from Jomsom to Pokhara by road. This is a long journey of as much as 10 hours on poor roads, but does provide an insight into the spectacular valley of the Kali Gandaki). Assuming we have flown, we can check in at our comfortable hotel close to Phewa Tal in time for lunch. The afternoon is then free to wander by the lake, to browse the bazaar, or to simply sit in the garden of one of the excellent lakeside restaurants and admire the view of the Annapurnas and the spectacular 'Fishtail' peak of Machhapuchhre. Overnight at our Pokhara hotel. HOTEL Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu, with the remainder of the day at leisure. We take the morning flight to Kathmandu and transfer to the group hotel. The afternoon is free to relax in the hotel gardens or beside the pool, or for independent sightseeing. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. Kathmandu is a very safe city (provided you watch out for the traffic) and exploring on your own is great fun. This evening we will have a celebratory dinner to mark the end of a most excellent trip. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 15: Departure day. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. There are lots of extensions that can easily be added to your holiday in Nepal. Why not pre-book a simple day-tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to one of the important wildlife reserves at Chitwan or Bardia. Extension packages are also available to include a visit to neighbouring Tibet or Bhutan. Contact our office for details. MEALS B Extend Your Holiday Extensions When booking your holiday, you will be able to 'add an extension option'. Once we have received your booking we will contact you to discuss additional services required for the extension and to take any additional deposit.

7 PAGE 7 Chitwan Jungle Extension The jungles of southern Nepal are an interesting counterpoint to trekking in the foothills or the high Himalaya. Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge provides a relaxing and comfortable base for a wildlife safari and cultural village experience. During two days of wildlife viewing in the Chitwan National Park 'buffer zone' - the interface area between visitors and the animals that live at Chitwan you will be accompanied by expert guides on safaris by jeep by boat and on foot. Chitwan Jungle Extension 3 days From US$1095 per person Tiger Mountain Resort Pokhara Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge sets the standard for comfortable and luxurious mountain lodge accommodation with its relaxed atmosphere, tranquil setting, eco-tourism and conservation ethos. Located on a spectacular hilltop ridge, it has panoramic views of Fishtail Mountain and Himalayan giants, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. It has won several prestigious awards including the PATA Heritage and Culture Gold Award and the Conde Nast Traveler magazine Ecotourism Award. Tiger Mountain Resort Pokhara 3 days From US$780 per person Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot And Bhaktapur The Kathmandu Valley contains the cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu itself, all of which were once independent kingdoms. An exploration of the valley s historic and cultural sights is an excellent way to begin or end your adventure in Nepal. Highlights of this tour includes a very early drive up to Nagarkot on the Kathmandu Valley rim, the perfect place to watch a Himalayan sunrise. This is

8 PAGE 8 followed by a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur, renowned for its temples and traditional buildings. Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur 1 day From US$145 per person Holiday Information What's Included A professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader Kathmandu Airport transfers Internal flights and all land transport involved in the itinerary Accommodation as described All meals Once on trek the group will be assisted by porters and a local guide What's Not Included Travel Insurance Nepalese Visa Tips for porters and other trek staff Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Meal Plan All meals are included in the trip price from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 15. Food Typical meals provided in the lodges will include Nepali dishes but also international cuisine from pizza and chips to apple pie. To ensure that the group can eat together, we order meals in advance and your trip leader will arrange a set menu for the group, which will alternate daily between local and international dishes. Breakfast will usually be porridge, eggs, bread and a hot drink, lunch will be a simple meal with a hot drink, and dinner will be 3 courses consisting of soup, main meal and a simple pudding. If you wish to order additional dishes and/or snacks, you should budget accordingly. Boiled drinking water will be provided at breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the lodges and tea-houses sell snacks, chocolate bars, soft drinks and beer. In Kathmandu we take our meals in the hotel and local restaurants. Joining Arrangements & Transfers Airport transfers are provided for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary. You will be met on arrival at Kathmandu Airport by a KE representative and taken to

9 PAGE 9 your hotel. If you are arriving earlier or departing later we can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Accommodation Whilst in Kathmandu the group will stay in 5-star luxury at either the Hotel Yak & Yeti or the Shangri-La Hotel. Located in the heart of the city, each of these excellent hotels offers a range of first-class facilities including a pleasant tree-shaded garden area complete with swimming pool. Staying at either of these hotels, you can be assured of a restful start and finish to your time in Nepal. The group will also spend a night in Pokhara at a touristclass hotel near the lake. Whilst on trek there are 11 nights in lodges/tea houses. The Nepalese trekking lodges also known as 'tea-houses' are simple, friendly and atmospheric. As they are mostly far from the nearest road is it not surprising that they are simple establishments and everything must be carried up by porters or animals. Mostly these lodges have heated dining areas which are often attractively decorated. Accommodation is basic in unheated rooms with wooden beds and foam mattress. You will need a sleeping bag. The lodges have shared washing and toilet facilities. Some lodges have solar powered showers (charged at $2 - $3 per shower) and battery charging facilities (also charged at a rate per hour). Staying at the lodges is a great way to meet fellow hikers and the locals. All accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis (note that in some lodges only dormitory beds may be available). If you are travelling by yourself you will join other single clients of the same sex in twin or occasionally, triple rooms. For the hotel nights only, single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Additional hotel nights in Kathmandu are also available. For Hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary. Internal Flights Access to the high and remote areas of the Himalaya where our treks start is often only possible using internal flights. The changeable nature of mountain weather makes flying conditions complex. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of western nations and all airlines in Nepal appear on the European Commission s list of airlines that are banned from flying into EU member states. Flying in Nepal is an acknowledged risk, and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice provides further details which you can read on their website at: KE is mindful of its duty of care to clients travelling with us in Nepal and we were stakeholders in an independent air audit of Nepal airlines undertaken by UK tour operators during KE uses only four airlines in Nepal which were approved by this audit as safe carriers. These airlines are: Yeti Airlines, Tara Air, Buddha Air and Simrik Airlines. In addition to this both Tara Air and Yeti Airlines have fulfilled the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) - a new global safety standard for commercial airlines operating smaller aircraft Pages/index.aspx. We continue to cooperate with other tour operators to monitor aviation safety in Nepal and will ensure we remain a stakeholder in any further air safety audits. While we have taken appropriate action to try to minimise the risks of flying in Nepal, you should be aware that flying in mountainous terrain is not without any risk. Please note that poor weather can cause delays on internal flights. If at the start of your holiday internal flights are cancelled for the day, you will spend an extra night near the airport and this may be at a hotel other than the group hotel. On the majority of trips there is enough flexibility in the trekking itinerary to make up 1 or possibly 2 lost days, but alternative arrangements must be made if internal flights are cancelled for a subsequent day. For trips that end with an internal flight out of the mountains with no alternative road access, we have included 2 nights in Kathmandu as a contingency against delay. Helicopters can sometimes fly when the scheduled fixed wing aircraft cannot. If your group is offered the opportunity to use a chartered helicopter, either flying up from or back to Kathmandu, the cost will be shared between those choosing to take this option. In the extremely unlikely event that flight cancellations cause you to miss your homeward international flight, KE will render all assistance, but cannot be held liable for any extra costs incurred. We advise you to take out suitable insurance and to keep your receipts, as you may subsequently be able to make a claim.

10 PAGE 10 Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be led by a professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader, assisted by an experienced team including Sherpa guides and porters. Altitude This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. Unless you have previous experience of trekking above 4000 metres you should consult one of our trekking experts before embarking on this holiday. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies. Spending Money Approximately (or equivalent in US dollars, Euros etc.) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including those itemised below. You should allow approximately (in equivalent Nepali rupees) for porter and trek crew tips. It is not necessary to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash, since you will exchange the majority of this on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs in Kathmandu using your debit or credit card. During the trek it is possible to buy snacks, chocolate, soft drinks and beer on most days. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up by porters or animals, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you for good service. Tips do not form part of the wages of your porters and trek crew but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the trip. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around the equivalent of in rupees to these tips. At the end of a trek many people also like to donate various items of their equipment to the porters and trek staff who work so hard to make the trip a success. Boots, gloves, hats, scarves and even socks (clean of course) are always warmly received by the porters. Technical clothing and equipment such as head-torches and trekking poles are highly prized by the Sherpa crews. If you think you would like to donate equipment at the end of your trip, your local leader will make arrangements for a fair distribution among the crew. Beat The Jet Lag Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers. Free KE Gift

11 PAGE 11 We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A free KE trek bag is available on this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage (which should be a soft bag such as the KE Trek Bag) and a daypack. Your bag on trek will be carried by porters or pack animals and should not weigh more than 15kg. For all flights to and from STOL airstrips in Nepal the maximum allowance, for hold baggage AND hand baggage combined, is 15kg. This weight allowance is strictly enforced and excess baggage will be charged. It is possible to leave items not required on trek at the hotel in Kathmandu. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Transit Via India If you are travelling via India (Delhi or Calcutta) to your destination you may also require a visa for India. This may apply even if you are not leaving the airport unless your baggage has been checked all the way through to your destination. Generally, if you use the same carrier for both legs of your journey, you will not need an India Visa. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF India.

12 PAGE 12 Visa Nepal All nationalities require a visa. The visa fee is $25 for 15 days, $40 for 30 days, $100 for 90 days and is obtainable on arrival. Payment must be made in cash and USD, GBP or Euros are accepted. You will require 2 passport photos. Children under 10 yrs do require a visa but is it free of charge. TREKKING PERMITS WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU? For treks in the Everest region EBL, EVL, EVP, EHW, EHP, ELL - we need your passport details and we need you to take with you to Nepal 2 passport photographs. You will hand these over to your local leader on Day 1. For treks in the Annapurna region ASL, ACL, UAT, ANL, KRT we need your passport details and we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself. Please send this to us once your holiday is guaranteed. For treks which combine the Everest and Annapurna regions AEL we need your passport details and we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself. Please send this to us once your holiday is guaranteed. We also ask that you to take with you to Nepal 2 passport photographs. You will hand these over to your local leader on Day 1. For these Conservation Area treks and other treks requiring Special Permits KAN, DLG, NAP, NTM we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself and a scan of the information pages of your passport. Please send these to us once your holiday is guaranteed. On arrival in Kathmandu you may still be required to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. If this does happen, your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner. For those trips requiring Climbing Permits MER, IPC, CTL, SBP - we need to send to Nepal ahead of your departure, a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself and a scan of the information pages of your passport. Please send these to us once your holiday is guaranteed. On arrival in Kathmandu you may still be required to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. If this does happen, your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Currency The unit of currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

13 PAGE 13 Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Regular hiking in hill country is the best training but jogging, squash and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate October to November and March to May are the best times for trekking in Nepal. These months either side of the summer monsoon season are neither too hot in the foothills nor too cold in the higher elevations. Pre-monsoon is the time to see the colourful blooms of the rhododendron at lower elevations. The post-monsoon months usually offer the clearest skies and the most settled weather. You will encounter a wide range of daytime temperatures during your holiday. In October/November and April/May this will range from approximately 25C in Kathmandu to approximately 14C at 3000 metres, and approximately 3C at 5000 metres. From December to early April, temperatures will average around 5C lower than this but at any time of the year the real feel temperature in the middle of the day will be much warmer. At night in the rarefied air the temperatures plummet. You can expect to experience overnight temperatures below freezing once above approximately 4000 metre. (above 3000 metres from mid December) and at our highest overnight stops, outside temperatures may drop as low as minus 15C. Extended periods of rain or snow are very unlikely outside of the monsoon period but short-lived storms can and do occur. Books Trekking and Climbing in Nepal. Steve Razzetti. New Holland Annapurna, a trekkers guide Kev Reynolds, Cicerone Trekking in Nepal. Stephen Bezruchka Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya. Stan Armington Trekking in Nepal, West Tibet and Bhutan. Hugh Swift Kathmandu and the Kingdom of Nepal. Prakash Raj Insight Guide to Nepal Adventure Treks Nepal. Bill O Connor

14 PAGE 14 Maps Annapurna Adventure Trekking Map - 1:125,000. National Geographic & Nepa Nowadays the best maps of Nepal tend to be produced in Nepal. This map is a collaboration between the Nepal publishers Nepa and National Geographic. It covers the whole of the Annapurna Circuit plus Pokhara. This is an excellent map for the circuiteer, though the scale at 1:125,000 does not provide quite enough detail. Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Kathmandu. Outbound flights will usually depart from the UK in the evening, arriving mid-afternoon on the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart Kathmandu usually in the morning of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK later the same day. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. To avoid paying more for your flight, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times as there are only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. We are also able to quote for premium, business and first class seats. Please be aware that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Remember if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Kathmandu. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Kathmandu Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: ext

15 PAGE 15 Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too!

16 PAGE 16 Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

17 PAGE 17 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 kgs. For all flights to STOL airstrips in Nepal, the maximum allowance for hold baggage AND hand baggage combined, is 15 kg. It is essential you keep the total weight of your baggage within this limit. Paying for transportation of excess baggage is not normally an option on these flights. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel. You Must Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots Socks Trekking trousers Waterproof overtrousers Underwear Baselayer shirts Casual shirt and/or T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Waterproof jacket Warm jacket (down)* Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Gloves or mittens Daypack 30 litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre x2 Sleeping bag (comfort rated -10 C)* Washbag and toiletries Travel towel Toilet paper (you can also buy this in the lodges if necessary) Antibacterial handwash Small towel Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)

18 PAGE 18 Small padlock (to lock trek bag) Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets. The Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles Trainers or similar for use in lodges Gaiters Spare laces Shorts Thermal baselayer - leggings Sleeping bag liner Swimwear (for the hotel pool in Kathmandu) Travel clothes Camera Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Notes *Available for hire/rental through KE Adventure Travel Please make all requests at least 6 weeks prior to the trip departure date. Please note all hire / rental equipment is issued in Kathmandu. Please remember to allow room in your trek bag for these items. The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Therefore to avoid embarrassment on both sides we recommend that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach to just above the knee and be modest and for women it is preferable to wear trousers or a long skirt. Please note: This document was downloaded on 23 Nov 2017, and the trip is subject to change.